On Saturday, some 20 of 557 displaced residents had returned to Kiwirok, the task force's deputy chief, Adjunct Senior Commissioner Arif Irawan told ANTARA in Jayapura, the capital of Papua Province.
Among those having returned home are several village administrators, a head of public health center, as well as religious and community figures, he said.
Their arrivals in Kiwirok would help prepare everything needed prior to the returns of all residents who had fled their homes following a deadly terrorist attack on the healthcare workers in September 2021, he said.
The task force's medical personnel, deployed from Oksibil, the capital of Pegunungan Bintang District, about 230 kilometers away from Jayapura, have been in Kiwirok since Friday, he added.
Operation Peace Cartenz Task Force Chief Adjunct Commissioner Budi Suryono said earlier that security personnel would assist the returning residents to repair houses that had been left empty for more than a year.
"All teams will work together to accelerate preparations for welcoming the Kiwirok residents who have been willing to return home," Suryono said.
Related news: Brimob member shot by KKB in Kiwirok evacuated to Jayapura
On Monday morning (September 13, 2021), several members of the Lamek Tablo-led separatist terrorist group reportedly torched several public facilities, including a public health center, and homes in Kiwirok.
The Papuan terrorists assaulted and tortured several health workers from the Kiwirok Public Health Center. The attack had resulted in the death of a female healthcare worker named Gabriela Meilan.
The separatist terrorists also got into a gunfight with Indonesian security personnel during which one army personnel sustained minor injuries on his right arm after a bullet ricocheted and struck him.
The wounded army personnel was identified as 1st Private Ansar from the 403/WP Infantry Battalion.
1st Private Ansar and nine healthcare workers who survived the terrorists' brutality were evacuated from Kiwirok Sub-district to Jayapura City.
The health workers were identified as Lukas Luji, Marthinus Deni Setya, Siti Khotijah, Dr.Restu Pamanggi, Marselinus Ola Atanila, Patra, Emanuel Abi, Katrianti Tandila, and Kristina Sampe Tonapa.
Operation Peace Cartenz that lays emphasis on a prosperity-based approach to maintain peace and stability in Papua has replaced Operation Nemangkawi that ended on January 25, 2022.
The actions under the Operation Peace Cartenz prioritizes persuasive and preemptive efforts by focusing on the functions of intelligence and community development and services.
Related news: Peace Cartenz task force distributes 30 piglets to Yahukimo's farmers
Related news: Indonesian police readies plan for Operation Peace Cartenz in Papua
Translator: Evarukdijati, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
